Semantics and Manners

international | anti-war / imperialism | opinion/analysis

Sunday July 30, 2006 00:40

by Seán Ryan

Bush apologises to Tony for shipping Bunker Busters through Britain without permission last week. This week he ships more munitions through Britain having received permission.

It seems that British outrage at the USA shipping 28 GBU28 laser guided bombs through Glasgow's Prestwick Airport, last weekend, was more about manners than about shipping death.

George Bush has apologised for his bad manners and Tony has of course accepted. The fact that these obscene devices were shipped to Israel doesn't seem to be bothering anyone. Apprently it's not bad manners for Israel to drop these things on their victims.

The GBU-28 is a 5,000-pound laser-guided bomb that uses a 4,400 lb penetrating warhead. It can penetrate 20 feet of solid concrete or 100 feet of earth. In other words, it will kill whoever it is dropped on, regardless as to what shelter is present. They cost about $145,500.00 each to produce, so I spose they retail at around $300,000 + tax and shipping (at least). Lockheed of course is the manufacturer.

Anyway now that the Yanks and the British have sorted out their difficulties over manners and semantics, the US will continue to ship munitions through Britain. In fact yesterday they shipped more munitions through the UK on route to Israel. These munitions were described as "dangerous goods" for the British authorities. Manners deployed, the British gave the go ahead message to the Yanks and didn't give a shit as to what "dangerous goods" referred to. Tomorrow another plane carrying "dangerous goods" bound for Israel and their helpless victims will stop at Prestwick once again.

Makes one wonder at one's own government here in Ireland. We're very fond of semantics and manners too. But above all we love assurances.

How many people have died because we facilitate the war machine in Shannon I wonder?

Doesn't matter I spose. The US and the UK are our bestest friends and would never drop this shit on us. They don't need to. They just have to threaten our economic survival to get their way. No need to waste good bombs on us, they're way too expensive for the likes of us.